The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05


Notwithstanding the practical uni
versatility Of the rule that the vote de-
cides every thing. most citizens seem
to be unaware that there is an infinite
variety of modes of voting, each of
which is useful in its way and few of
which could be dispensed with. Itmay
be interesting to glance at a few of
these at this time.
First, we find that every question
nowadays is settled by majority or
two.thirds vote: so at least we fondly
think. There are trifilng exceptions
in Russia and perhaps in other coun-
tries, but they need not be noticed. 1t
may be that, even where the rule APP
parently has its exceptions, the major
ity rules indirectly. The people sub
NIT to monarchical and despotlc rule
because 1T meets with their approval.
In the freer countries, and in France
since the adoption of the Republican
form of government, the majority OF
the people or their representatives are
frequently called upon to settle ques-
tons by vote, and ultimately every de-
tail of government is submitted to this
test OF the popular will. The people
of England are steadily becoming more
fully represented in the House Of Com
mons, and the House is in turn insist.
ing upon a larger share of government
al control. In this country, far more
than in any other. our rulers are re-
quired frequently to pass the ordeal of
the peoples Judgment. The majority
in party caucus instructs the candidate
for whom to vote for United States
Senator; majority OF the members of
the party in the Legislature chooses
the candidates; . majority of the Lcgis-
lature elects him; majority of the
Senate carries through important laws.
II the Senator. or any other represent
alive of the people. acts contrary to
the desires Of . majority of his con-
stituents. he has soon to submit his con-
duct to their Judgment. and they re-
place him with another more to their
liking.
Not many years ago there was a party
strife of a very virulent character
between two sections of the Penob-
scot Indians in Maine. That tribe
was allowed to send representative
to the State Legislature, where he &C.
cupied position similar to that Of Ter
ritorial delegate in Congress, being
allowed to speak, but not to vote. The
parties were called the Old and the
New. On the day of the election the
candidates of either party repaired to
to the schoolhouse on the Oldtown
Island, and took positions in opposite
corners Of the room. The free and
independent voters then entered and
cast down their hats, each at the feet
of his favorite candidate. When the
polls were closedth hats were counted.
and he who had the greater number
was elected. If the Indians had been
white men, they would probably have
had two hats, and would have repeated.
and there would have been numberless
tights for these primitive ballots out
side the polling place. Being guileless
children of the forest, they resorted to
no such trickery. though many q bloody
contest took place between the parti-
sans of the candidates.
Civilization has improved vastly upon
the simpler modes of voting, having to
deal with all sorts Of stratagems to de-
feat the popular WILL The registry.
or check lists, was devised to prevent
double voting; the ballot to secure the
voter against intimidation and bribery:
the show of hands, the ayes and nays,
the division of the house to make GER
tain doubtful votes; and these are but
few Of great many devices to ac-
complish other useful ends. Let us
first glance at some of the modes Of
voting in representative bodies, most
of which will doubtless be familiar to
readers.
The simplest and quickest method is
by the voice Those in favor of the
motion win say aye; those opposed
will say no. The ayes have it: it is a
vote" This is a very familiar for
mula. A quick-eared presiding officer
can tell almost infallibly whether the
ayes or the nays shave it." In case
Of doubt there are = great many ways
Of making certain. First, by rising:
The presiding officer or monitors count
the ayes and the hayes and announce
the result. Secondly, by tellers: The
teller from each side being appointed.
the members pass between them, both
of them count the ayes and nays sue
and announce the result.
Thirdly. by division Of the house. This
y The method univsreslly adopted IN